VehicleVerdict

2008 Harley-Davidson Fltr problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 17 complaints on file for the 2008 Harley-Davidson Fltr — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

17

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Fltr years?

Fltr NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted22 complaints1994: 0 complaints1995: 0 complaints1996: 0 complaints1997: 0 complaints1998: 2 complaints1999: 0 complaints2003: 1 complaints2007: 8 complaints2008: 17 complaints2009: 22 complaints
Fltr NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Fltr years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Harley-Davidson Fltr problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes847%
Body & Structure212%
Electrical System212%
Steering16%
Transmission16%
Visibility & Wipers16%
Engine16%
Fuel System16%

Does the 2008 Harley-Davidson Fltr have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V076000BrakesJanuary 29, 2018 · 174,636 units

Defect

Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling all 2008-2011 Touring, CVO Touring and VSRC motorcycles equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), including Road King (FLHR), Road King Police (EFI) (FLHP), Road King Police (EFI) (FLHPE), Electra Glide Standard Police (EFI) (FLHTP), Electra Glide Classic (EFI) (FLHTC), Electra Glide Ultra Classic (EFI) (FLHTCU) and Street Glide (EFI) (FLHX), 2008 VROD (VRSCAWA), CVO Road King 4 (FLHRSE4), Night Rod (VRSCDA), CVO Ultra Classic 3 (FLHTCUSE3), Night Rod Special (VRSCDXA), 2008-2010 Road King Classic (EFI) (FLHRC), 2008-2009 Road Glide (EFI) (FLTR) and Electra Glide Standard (EFI) (FLHT), 2009-2010 V-Rod (VRSCAW), 2009 CVO Ultra Classic (FLHTCUSE4) and CVO Road Glide 3 (FLTRSE3), 2009-2011 Night Rod Special (VRSCDX) and V-Rod Muscle (VRSCF), 2010 CVO Ultra Classic 5 (FLHTCUSE5) and CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), 2010-2011 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (FLHTK) and Road Glide Custom (FLTRX), 2011 Road Glide Ultra 103 (FLTRU103), Street Glide 103 (FLHX103), Road King Classic 103 (FLHRC103), CVO Ultra Classic 6 (FLHTCUSE6), CVO Road Glide Ultra (FLTRUSE), Road Glide Custom 103 (FLTRX103), and CVO Street Glide 2 (FLHXSE2) motorcycles. Deposits may form on components within the brake system if the DOT 4 brake fluid is not replaced for a prolonged period of time beyond the 2-year maintenance schedule specified in the Owner’s Manual.

Consequence

These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush the entire brake system with new Platinum Label DOT 4 brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0171.

08V357000Fuel SystemJuly 30, 2008 · 47,579 units

Defect

HARLEY DAVIDSON IS RECALLING 47,579 MY 2008 FLHP, FLHPE, FLHR, FLHRC, FLHRSE4, FLHT, FLHTC, FLHTCU, FLHTCUSE3, FLHTP, FLHX, AND FLTR MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES MAY EXPERIENCE A CRACKING OF THE FUEL FILTER SHELL LEADING TO LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE. THIS LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE CAN CAUSE DIMINISHED PERFORMANCE AND, IN SOME CASES, MAY CAUSE AN ENGINE STALL OR A NO-START CONDITION.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER SHELL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLTR ROAD GLIDE. WHILEDRIVING APPROXIMATELY10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDALWAS DEPRESSED,BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT,THE CONTACT SIDESWIPED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO AN ALUMINUM BRIDGE.A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 22, 2016 · crash

“2008 FLTR HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE TWICE WENT TO FORCED IDLE MODE WHILE OPERATING. DTC CODES P1511 AND P2135 WERE SET. HARLEY HAS ISSUED TT 418 NOV 3, 2009, TO ADDRESS THIS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM ON THROTTLE BY WIRE BIKES 2008 - 2011. DEALER COMPLIANCE ON TT 418 WEAK. BIKE CUTTING OFF IN TRAFFIC IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 14, 2011

“THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD/FOOTBOARD MOUNTING BOLT IS PRONE TO SHEER OFF. THIS EJECTS THE 10-15 POUND PART FROM THE MOTORCYCLE CAUSING A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND EVEN THOUGH THE PART WAS REDESIGNED IN 2010 TO INCLUDE 2 MOUNTING BOLTS THE HARLEY DAVIDSON CORPORATION HAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 21, 2013

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE (FLTR). WHILE RIDING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACTED PULLED OVER, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND RESUMED NORMAL RIDING. WHEN THE FAILURE RECURRED,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 4, 2018

“HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES WITH THE THROTTLE BY WIRE WILL GO INTO A LIMP HOME MODE. THIS IS WHERE YOU ARE ACCELERATING AND THE MOTOR BASICALLY SHUTS DOWN AND GOES TO JUST ABOVE AN IDLE SPEED. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE THROTTLE BY WIRE IS FAILING. YOU COULD BE ACCELERATING TO TURN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 29, 2011

2008 Harley-Davidson Fltr — common questions

Is the 2008 Harley-Davidson Fltr reliable?

The record is thin — 17 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2008 Fltr problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (8 complaints), body & structure (2 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints).

Does the 2008 Harley-Davidson Fltr have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Harley-Davidson Fltr. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Harley-Davidson Fltr under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.